Mounting arrangement for sewing machine motors



7 May 14, 1968 JIN TAKAHASH! MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINE MOTORS Filed ooi. 11, 1965 INVENTOR. I Jin Takohushi ATTORNEY Y Wl-TNESS.

United States Patent 3,382,728 MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR SEWING MACHINE MOTORS Jin Takahashi, Tochigi-ken, Japan, assignor to The Singer Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Oct. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 494,735 8 Claims. (Cl. 74-209 This invention relates to a drive mechanism for sewing machines and in particular to means for mounting and accurately aligning a sewing machine motor on the frame of the sewing machine. 1

It is essential in this area of the sewing machine art to provide a support structure for the sewing machine motor by which convenient adjustment of the motor relatively to the sewing machine main shaft can be effected. This adjustment accommodates differences in the length of the different belts used to connect the sewing machine main and motor shaft pulleys and also enables the operator to tighten the belt if it becomes loosened during the operation of the machine. It is also essential for the most efficient operation of the drive mechanism that the pulley grooves for the motor shaft and the sewing machine main shaft be in the same vertical plane. Furthermore, the support structure must be capable of providing a motor support that will prevent the motor shaft from moving out of its requisite parallel alignment with the sewing machine main shaft by the vibration of the motor or the tension exerted by the belt, In addition, and most importantly, the highly competitive nature of the sewing machine manufacturing business forces the manufacturer to seek new ways to reduce the cost of manufacture and still provide the purchaser with a high quality sewing machine capable of competing effectively with the products of other sewing machine manufacturers.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved adjustable support structure for mounting a sewing machine motor.

It is another object of this invention to provide an adjustable support structure, for mounting a sewing machine motor, that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, yet strong and durable in structure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved adjustable sewing machine motor support structure which when seated in the bed of the sewing machine, automatically aligns the pulley grooves of the motor and the sewing machine main shaft.

Having in mind the above and other objects that will be evident from an understanding of this disclosure, the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts as illustrated in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention which is hereinafter set forth in such detail as to enable those skilled in the art readily to understand the functions, operation, construction and advantages of it when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational end view of a sewing machine, motor and motor support structure of this invention,

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the motor support structure of the present invention, and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the motor support structure of this invention.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals identify corresponding parts throughout the several views, represents a standard sewing machine having a motor and motor support structure, substantially as shown.

The illustrated sewing machine 10 has a frame comprising a bed 12 from one end of which rises a vertically arranged standard 14 carrying a conventional elongated bracket arm 16 that overhangs the bed 12. A main shaft 3,382,728 Patented May 14, 1968 18 is journaled longitudinally of the bracket arm 16, and mounted upon the standard end of the main shaft 18 is a combined hand wheel and pulley 20 having a belt groove 22 that receives a driving belt 24. An electric motor 26, whose support structure is described below, has a drive shaft 28 journaled longitudinally thereof, the drive shaft 28 being adapted to support a pulley 30 having a groove 32 that also receives the driving belt 24. Actuation of I the electric motor 26 serves to drive the main shaft 18 through the agency of the motor drive shaft and the belt 22, the main shaft being adapted to drive the various mechanisms (not shown) of the sewing machine in the conventional manner.

To provide the most efficient and effective manner of operatively connecting the drive shaft 28 of the electric motor 26 to the main shaft 18, it is imperative that the driving belt 24 and the pulley grooves 22 and 32 be positioned in proper alignment. In addition the distance between the axes of the main shaft and the motor drive shaft must be adjustable and yet, no horizontal movement of the motor is permissible. The present invention accomplishes this, and more, as will be understood from the following description. Thus, an adjustable support 34 includes a horizontal generally rectangular motor bed 36 and a vertical multi-sided post 38 which post is secured to the underside of the motor bed 36 at a point determined by such factors as the distribution of the weight of the motor and the operating tension of the belt 24. Integral with the motor bed 36 are two upturned apertured tabs 40 extending one from each of the ends of the bed and facing each other along the longitudinal axis of the bed. One of the sides of the bed 36 is bent upwardly to form a vertical wall 42 while the opposite side is bent upwardly to form a sloped side 44. The motor 26 is mounted by seating it on the motor bed 36 between the tabs 40 and inserting screws 46 through the upturned apertured tabs 40, into corresponding tapped holes 48 in motor frame 50. The insertion of the screws 46 secures the motor 26 to the bed 36 and the tabs 40 serve to prevent any longitudinal movement of the motor 26 relatively to the bed. The bed 36 and particularly the upwardly angled sides 42 and 44 are shaped so that the longitudinal axis of the motor bed 36 is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 28. The sloped sides 42 and 44, in addition to their positioning function, serve to help restrain the motor 26 from any horizontal body shift relatively to the motor bed 36.

It now remains proper to fixedly secure the adjustable support 34 thereby to align the belt 24 and the pulley grooves 22 and 32 in substantially the same vertical plane. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the vertical post 38 is hexagonal in cross section and is received by a correspondingly shaped vertical post hole 52 located in the sewing machine bed 12 at a point adjacent the standard 14. The sewing machine bed 12 includes a vertical support wall 54 in which is formed a horizontal countersunk hole 56 which opens into the side 59 of the vertical post hole 52 at right angles thereto and is threaded to receive a locking screw 58. Electrical wires 60 which connect the motor 26 to a suitable power source lead through an aperture 62 in the frame of the motor down into the bed 12, or, as an alternative (not shown), the vertical post 38 may be made hollow and the wires led through an aperture in the bottom of the frame 50 through the hollow post into the bed 12.

With the motor 26 securely in place on the adjustable support 34 an assembler need merely drop the vertical post 38 into post hole 52 and tighten the screw 58 when the support is at the desired height, thereby to lock the support and the motor against any vertical movement. The shape of the hole 52 and the mating post 38 serve to lock the post against any turning movement about its vertical axis. It is noted that the placement of the hole 52 provides for automatic positioning of the seated motor relatively to the length of the sewing machine and the shape of the hole automatically places the motor parallel with the main shaft 18, which automatically aligns the pulley grooves 22 and 32 in the same vertical plane.

One of the advantages afforded by the present invention, in addition to the ease and accuracy of assembly and the structural strength of the support provided, is the reduced cost of manufacture. The holes 52 and 56 may be formed in the bed 12 at the same time that the bed is cast, requiring no machining beyond the simple operation of tapping the hole 56. The motor bed 36 may be stamped out and formed in its final shape in one or two simple operations and secured to the post 38 in any one of a number of simple operations. The post 38 itself is easily formed and can be cut to any desired length. Thus, the uncomplicated manufacturing and assembly operation insures a substantial reduction in the cost of providing a support for the sewing machine motor.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of my invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is:

1. In a sewing machine having a frame including a standard and a bracket arm carried by said standard, a main shaft journaled longitudinally of said bracket arm, an electric motor having a drive shaft, pulleys mounted upon said drive shaft and said main shaft, a belt mounted on said pulleys for imparting rotation to said main shaft upon actuation of said motor, means for supporting said electric motor from said sewing machine frame, said means including a bed having a motor receiving side and a post connecting side and a noncircular post connected by one end to the post connecting side of the bed, said frame including a noncircular hole adapted to receive said post in sliding engagement therewith and in a manner which prevents turning movement of the post about the longitudinal axis of the post, and means for locking said post against endwise movement in a direction axially of the post, said last named means providing for selective adjustment of the post in an endwise direction axially of the post.

2. In a sewing machine having a frame including a standard and a bracket arm carried by said standard, a main shaft journaled longitudinally of said bracket arm, an electric motor having a drive shaft, pulleys mounted upon said drive shaft and said main shaft, a belt mounted on said pulleys for imparting rotation to said main shaft upon actuation of said motor, means for supporting said electric motor from said sewing machine frame, said means including a bed having a motor receiving side and a post connecting side and a post secured by one end to the post connecting side of the bed, said frame including a hole adapted to receive said post in sliding engagement therewith, means for locking said post against turning movement about the longitudinal axis of the post and means distinct from said last named means for locking said post against endwise movement in a direction axially of the post, said post being selectively adjustable in a direction axially of the post.

3. In a sewing machine having a frame including a bed, a standard supported by said bed and a bracket arm carried by said standard, a main shaft journaled longitudinally of said bracket arm, an electric motor having a drive shaft, pulleys mounted upon said drive shaft and said main shaft, a belt mounted on said pulleys for imparting rotation to said main shaft upon actuation of said motor, means for supporting said electric motor upon said sewing machine bed, said means including a motor receiving bed, a post connected by one end to said motor receiving bed, said sewing machine bed including a hole adapted to receive said post in sliding engagement therewith, means for locking said post against turning movement about the longitudinal axis of the post and means distinct from said last named means for locking said post against endwise movement in a direction axially of the post, said post being selectively adjustable in a direction axially of the post.

4. In a sewing machine having a frame including a bed, a standard supported by said bed and a bracket arm carried by said standard, a main shaft journaled longitudinally of said bracket arm, an electric motor having a drive shaft, pulleys mounted upon said drive shaft and said main shaft, a belt mounted on said pulleys for imparting rotation to said main shaft upon actuation of said motor, means for supporting said electric motor upon said sewing machine bed, said means including a motor bed having a motor receiving side and a post connecting side, and a multisided post connected to the post connecting side of the motor bed, said sewing machine bed including a multisided hole for receiving said multisided post in sliding engagement therewith, said multisided post and multisided hole cooperating to lock the post against turning movement about the longitudinal axis of the post, and means for selectively locking said post against endwise movement in a direction axially of the post.

5. In a sewing machine having a frame including a bed, a standard supported by said bed and a bracket arm carried by said standard, a main shaft journaled longitudinally of said bracket arm, an electric motor having a drive shaft, pulleys mounted upon said drive shaft and said main shaft, a belt mounted on said pulleys for imparting rotation to said main shaft upon actuation of said motor, means for supporting said electric motor on said sewing machine bed, said means including a substantially horizontal motor receiving bed and a vertical multisided post connected by one end to the underside of said horizontal motor receiving bed, said sewing machine bed including a vertical multisided hole adapted to receive said post in sliding engagement therewith, said multisided post and multisided hole cooperating to lock said post against turning movement about the longitudinal axis of said post, said sewing machine bed also including a horizontal hole which opens into the vertical hole at right angles thereto, said horizontal hole being adapted to receive a locking screw which when tightened locks the post against vertical movement relatively to said sewing machine bed.

6. In a sewing machine having a frame including a bed, a standard supported by said bed and a bracket arm carried by said standard, a main shaft journaled longitudinally of said bracket arm, an electric motor having a drive shaft, pulleys mounted upon said drive shaft and said main shaft, a belt mounted on said pulleys for imparting rotation to said main shaft upon actuation of said motor, means for supporting said electric motor, said means including a substantially horizontal motor bed having two upwardly angled opposite ends upon which said motor seats and means for securing the motor to said substantially horizontal motor bed, and a vertical multisided post connected by one end to the underside of said substantially horizontal motor bed, said sewing machine bed including a vertical multisided hole adapted to receive said post in sliding engagement therewith, said multisided post and multisided hole cooperating to lock said post against turning movement about the longitudinal axis of said post and means for selectively locking said post against vertical movement relatively to said sewing machine bed.

7. In a sewing machine having a frame including a bed, a standard supported by said bed and a bracket arm carried by said standard, a main shaft journaled longitudinally of said bracket arm, an electric motor having a drive shaft, pulleys mounted upon said drive shaft and said main shaft, a belt mounted on said pulleys for imparting rotation to said main shaft upon actuation of said motor, means for supporting said electric motor upon said sewing machine bed, said means including a motor receiving bed, an elongated vertical support connected by one end to the underside of said motor receiving bed, said sewing machine bed including a vertical hole adapted to receive said vertical support in sliding engagement therewith, and means for locking said elongated vertical support against turning movement about the longitudinal axis of the support and against endwise movement in a direction axially of said elongated support, said elongated vertical support being selectively adjustable in a direction axially of the support.

8. In a sewing machine having a frame provided with a drive mechanism including a rotary shaft, an electric motor including an output shaft, means for operatively connecting the output shaft of said electric motor to said rotary shaft, said frame formed with a motor support hole of noncircular cross section, means for supporting said electric motor including a noncircular member connected to said electric motor and for-med to be slidingly received by said noncircular motor support hole in said sewing machine frame so as to prevent rotation of said noncircular member in said noncircular motor support hole, and means for preventing endwise movement of said noncircular member in said noncircular hole, said last named means including means for selectively adjusting said noncircular member endwise in said noncircular motor support hole so as to selectively adjust the distance between the output shaft of said electric motor and said sewing machine rotary shaft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 807,749 12/1905 Ledig 248157 1,107,241 8/ 1914 Aalborg 248-23 1,381,985 6/1921 Gilbert 74-207 1,946,540 2/ 1934 Nielsen 248-33 2,689,100 9/1954 Voigt 24813 FRED C. MATTERN, JR., Primary Examiner.

C. J. HUSAR, Examiner. 

1. IN A SEWING MACHINE HAVING A FRAME INCLUDING A STANDARD AND A BRACKET ARM CARRIED BY SAID STANDARD, A MAIN SHAFT JOURNALED LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID BRACKET ARM, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR HAVING A DRIVE SHAFT, PULLEYS MOUNTED UPON SAID DRIVE SHAFT AND SAID MAIN SHAFT, A BELT MOUNTED ON SAID PULLEYS FOR IMPARTING ROTATION TO SAID MAIN SHAFT UPON ACTUATION OF SAID MOTOR, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID ELECTRIC MOTOR FROM SAID SEWING MACHINE FRAME, SAID MEANS INCLUDING A BED HAVING A MOTOR RECEIVING SIDE AND A POST CONNECTING SIDE AND A NONCIRCULAR POST CONNECTED BY ONE END TO THE POST CONNECTING SIDE OF THE BED, SAID FRAME INCLUDING A NONCIRCULAR HOLE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID POST IN SLIDING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH AND IN A MANNER WHICH PREVENTS TURNING MOVEMENT OF THE POST ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE POST, AND MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID POST AGAINST ENDWISE MOVEMENT IN A DIRECTION AXIALLY OF THE POST, SAID LAST NAMED MEANS PROVIDING FOR SELECTIVE ADJUSTMENT OF THE POST IN AN ENDWISE DIRECTION AXIALLY OF THE POST. 